Afternoon Red Sox Delight – 8/1

Josh Tomlin (L), John Lackey (R)

After taking two-of-three in Chicago, the Boston Red Sox wrap up their 11-game sojourn through the AL Central starting tonight. They’ll face off with the Cleveland Indians in the first game of a four-game set at Historic Fenway Park.

Today’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. and the game will be broadcast in the Red Sox television market on NESN. If you live in the Indians television market, you can watch the game on SportsTime Ohio (STO). If you don’t live in either market you’re in luck as well as ESPN will have national coverage of the game outside of the Red Sox and Indians television markets. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.

John Lackey goes for his fifth straight win in as many starts in his 18th start of 2011. He’s received a decision in all 17 of his starts as he is 9-8 with a 6.20 ERA. He has not faced the Indians in 2011. He made one start against the Indians in 2010 (August 2nd) that came at Fenway Park and took the loss after allowing six runs on nine hits in 5.1 innings of work. He’s made 15 career starts against Indians and is 6-7 with a 4.07 ERA.

Josh Tomlin makes his 22nd start of 2011 for the surprising Indians. In his previous 21 starts, Tomlin is 11-5 with a 4.01 ERA. He’s made one start against the Red Sox in 2011 picking up the win on April 5th. In that start, he allowed one run on three hits in seven innings of work. He’s made two career starts against the Red Sox and is 1-1 with a 3.21 ERA. He took the loss in his lone start at Fenway Park last year after allowing four runs on four hits in seven innings of work.

Click on the read more button below to see today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the morning/early afternoon if you’re on the home page.

Here are this evening’s lineups:

53-52		66-40
1. Michael Brantley	LF	1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF
2. Jason Kipnis	2B	2. Dustin Pedroia	2B
3. Asdrubal Cabrera	SS	3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B
4. Travis Hafner	DH	4. Kevin Youkilis	3B
5. Carlos Santana	C	5. David Ortiz	DH
6. Kosuke Fukudome	RF	6. Carl Crawford	LF
7. Matt LaPorta	1B	7. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C
8. Lonnie Chisenhall	3B	8. Josh Reddick	RF
9. Ezequiel Carrera	CF	9. Marco Scutaro	SS
Josh Tomlin	SP	John Lackey	SP